True Blue LA - Mookie Betts signs 12-year, $365 million contract extension with the DodgersWhere The Dodger Dogs Are Always Grilledhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49563/truebluela_fav.png2020-07-24T07:53:44-07:00http://www.truebluela.com/rss/stream/210990332020-07-24T07:53:44-07:002020-07-24T07:53:44-07:00Mookie Betts contract details
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<img alt="Los Angeles Dodgers Summer Workouts" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jqfpLiW8bnHnSms0AgzDzFYBeY8=/0x17:2232x1505/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67102978/1255123435.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Harry How/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The ins and outs of the Dodgers outfielder’s 12-year, $365 million extension</p> <p id="IV63kw">Now that the <span>Mookie Betts</span> contract with the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> is official, let’s delve into the specifics of <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2020/7/22/21334289/mookie-betts-contract-dodgers-365-million">the franchise-record 12-year, $365 million deal</a>.</p>
<p id="AL5o2t">Betts will get a $65 million signing bonus, <a href="https://twitter.com/jorgecastillo/status/1286057038510878720">per Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times</a>. It’s split up in 15 staggered annual payments every Nov. 1 beginning in 2021, <a href="https://apnews.com/79a2d444fcc6919ac3c7f381b66e3e8f">per Ronald Blum of the Associated Press</a>.</p>
<p id="38SSkF">Having so much of the contract (17.8 percent) as a bonus is especially relevant because that’s taxable in your home state, as opposed to salaries, which depend on where the games are played. Betts lives in Nashville, and Tennessee has no state income tax.</p>
<p id="7pDc0e">The contract also includes $115 million in deferrals, <a href="https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/1286081201963503616">per Ken Rosenthal at The Athletic</a>, who notes, “if Betts is traded, deferrals in subsequent years will be converted into present-day dollars, creating greater financial value.”</p>
<p id="OezsFz">There aren’t any opt-outs nor a no-trade clause.</p>
<p id="6aiYr1">The players union values the total contract at roughly $306.7 million after factoring in all of the deferrals, <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheathletic.com%2F1946819%2F2020%2F07%2F23%2Frosenthal-for-mookie-betts-landing-365-million-deal-was-a-triumph%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.truebluela.com%2F2020%2F7%2F24%2F21334589%2Fmookie-betts-contract-details-dodgers" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">per Rosenthal</a>. For competitive balance tax purposes, that would mean a number around $25.6 million each year of the deal rather than the $30.4 million average annual value.</p>
<p id="QG55m7">Those deferrals are paid after the contract is up, every July 1 starting in 2033, and continue through 2044, per the AP.</p>
<p id="jogZh9">Here is a breakdown of what Betts will receive annually for the next 24 years.</p>
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<p id="o2l0l2">In addition, Betts will make an annual $100,000 charitable contribution (presumably to the Dodgers Foundation) all 12 seasons of the contract, <a href="https://apnews.com/79a2d444fcc6919ac3c7f381b66e3e8f">per Blum at the AP</a>, and will get a hotel suite on road trips.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2020/7/24/21334589/mookie-betts-contract-details-dodgersEric Stephen2020-07-23T05:11:00-07:002020-07-23T05:11:00-07:00Reaction to the Mookie Betts contract
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<figcaption><em>Dodgers </em><a class="ql-link" href="https://twitter.com/Dodgers/status/1286083103648178176" target="_blank"><em>on Twitter</em></a></figcaption>
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<p>Betts signed a 12-year, $365 million extension through the 2032 season</p> <p id="06YJld">While I ponder how the person in charge of piping in the crowd noise at Dodger Stadium might arrange a standing ovation for <span>Mookie Betts</span> before his first at-bat on Thursday night, please enjoy these morning <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> links, with a central theme.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Home. <a href="https://t.co/OcgGajpxlC">pic.twitter.com/OcgGajpxlC</a></p>— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dodgers/status/1286083103648178176?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 22, 2020</a>
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<aside id="oW2eLi"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Mookie Betts was too good for the Dodgers to let get away","url":"https://www.truebluela.com/2020/7/22/21334399/mookie-betts-contract-dodgers-perfect-fit"},{"title":"Mookie Betts contract is 12 years, $365 million","url":"https://www.truebluela.com/2020/7/22/21334289/mookie-betts-contract-dodgers-365-million"}]}'></div></aside><h3 id="J0ddlQ">Links</h3>
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<li id="0kU0fW">Jorge Castillo at the LA Times <a href="https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/story/2020-07-22/dodgers-in-extension-talks-with-mookie-betts">has details of the Betts deal</a>, including that his signing bonus is $65 million.</li>
<li id="4kBZDB">Bill Plunkett at the Orange County Register <a href="https://www.ocregister.com/2020/07/22/mookie-betts-signs-12-year-extension-with-dodgers-biggest-in-mlb-history/">has more on the Betts contract</a>: “This 13-year marriage is the product of a whirlwind courtship.”</li>
<li id="dOxYxW">Ken Gurnick at MLB.com <a href="https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/mookie-betts-extension-with-dodgers">recapped Wednesday’s news</a>.</li>
<li id="b8iUaZ">Pedro Moura at The Athletic <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheathletic.com%2F1946312%2F2020%2F07%2F22%2Fwhy-the-dodgers-felt-comfortable-betting-365-million-on-mookie-betts%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.truebluela.com%2F2020%2F7%2F23%2F21335276%2Fmookie-betts-contract-reaction-dodgers" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">wrote about the Dodgers feeling “comfortable” with spending $365 million on Betts</a>.</li>
<li id="WhQpTg">Ben Clemens at FanGraphs <a href="https://blogs.fangraphs.com/mookie-betts-dodges-free-agency/">looks deeper at Betts’ contract</a>, with ZiPS projections for his next 13 seasons included therein.</li>
<li id="v65kfT">Bill Shaikin at the LA Times writes about <a href="https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/story/2020-07-22/dodgers-fulfill-pledge-to-fans-by-signing-mookie-betts-long-term">the Dodgers ownership group fulfilling their pledge</a>.</li>
<li id="CuF6HW">Andy McCullough at The Athletic <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheathletic.com%2F1945692%2F2020%2F07%2F22%2Fmccullough-dodgers-epic-quest-for-a-superstar-ends-with-mookie-betts%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.truebluela.com%2F2020%2F7%2F23%2F21335276%2Fmookie-betts-contract-reaction-dodgers" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">wrote about Andrew Friedman finally landing and keeping a superstar</a>.</li>
<li id="mqKS2l">Mike Petriello at MLB.com <a href="https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/how-mookie-betts-dodgers-extension-is-win-win">says the 12-year contract is a win-win for Betts and the Dodgers</a>.</li>
<li id="s4fpMs">Zach Kram at The Ringer <a href="https://www.theringer.com/mlb/2020/7/22/21334601/mookie-betts-dodgers-extension">called the Betts deal a “no brainer” for the Dodgers</a>.</li>
<li id="ZreyiK">Ken Rosenthal at The Athletic <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheathletic.com%2F1946819%2F2020%2F07%2F23%2Frosenthal-for-mookie-betts-landing-365-million-deal-was-a-triumph%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.truebluela.com%2F2020%2F7%2F23%2F21335276%2Fmookie-betts-contract-reaction-dodgers" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">says the Betts deal makes perfect sense</a>.</li>
<li id="R6MW0A">Jeff Passan at ESPN <a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/29517069/sources-mookie-betts-dodgers-long-term-contract">analyzed the move</a>, and in the post is a link to a video of <span>Chase Utley</span>’s reaction to the deal.</li>
<li id="DYIREz">Chad Moriyama at Dodgers Digest <a href="http://dodgersdigest.com/2020/07/22/mookie-betts-finalizes-12-year-365-million-extension-with-dodgers/">says the timing of the Betts deal was perfect</a>.</li>
<li id="ppZAZY">Jared Diamond at the Wall Street Journal <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/mookie-betts-signs-365-million-extension-with-dodgers-11595464949">wrote how the Dodgers were able to pull off the deal in this economic landscape</a>.</li>
<li id="cJqO8g">Pete Abraham at the Boston Globe <a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/07/22/sports/red-sox-failure-keep-mookie-betts-magnified-by-his-megadeal-with-dodgers/">said the Dodgers did in five months what the Red Sox couldn’t do in five <em>years</em></a>.</li>
<li id="EOj8HT">ESPN writers <a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/29517106/mookie-380-million-plus-deal-dodgers-extension-means-mlb-la-betts-more">discussed several aspects of the contract in a roundtable</a>, including this line from Sam Miller: “At this stage of the pandemic, I’m surprised when I see somebody manage to get a decent haircut, so, yeah, I’m surprised to see human achievement.”</li>
<li id="pXBxPY">Jim Alexander at the Orange County Register <a href="https://www.ocregister.com/2020/07/22/alexander-a-day-for-l-a-to-celebrate-and-exhale-after-betts-extension/">on the Dodgers acting how big market teams are supposed to act</a>.</li>
<li id="H9P24D">Bill Plaschke at the LA Times <a href="https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/story/2020-07-22/dodgers-betts-plaschke">is a fan of the Betts deal</a>, including this line: “Batting first, Mookie Betts, forever.”</li>
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https://www.truebluela.com/2020/7/23/21335276/mookie-betts-contract-reaction-dodgersEric Stephen2020-07-22T21:07:26-07:002020-07-22T21:07:26-07:00Mookie Betts was too good for the Dodgers to let get away
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<figcaption>Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Andrew Friedman: “When we made that trade, we did it with more than 2020 in mind.”</p> <p id="jG1aE1"><span>Mookie Betts</span> is a generational talent that any team, especially a big-market franchise, should do everything in their power to keep as long as they can. The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> acted accordingly, while the <a href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Red Sox</a> didn’t.</p>
<p id="EKeVcM">Boston prioritized resetting luxury tax penalties over keeping their best player in February, before his final year heading into free agency. The Dodgers jumped on the risk with an eye on the reward, trading for Betts and pitcher <span>David Price</span>.</p>
<p id="0Nv2Sy">“When we made that trade, we did it with more than 2020 in mind,” Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said Wednesday. “We appreciated the risk that came with that. But we did it with our eyes wide open, and a commitment from all of us that we were going to do everything we could to try to keep Mookie here for the rest of his career.”</p>
<p id="YHV79Z">With <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2020/7/22/21334289/mookie-betts-contract-dodgers-365-million">a 12-year, $365 million deal</a> that takes Betts through his age 39 season in 2032, the Dodgers may have done just that.</p>
<p id="wIHmjO">Betts is 27 years old this season. His contract extension will take him through his prime years, and well beyond. He does just about everything well on a baseball field. He hits, has power, runs the bases well, is an excellent fielder, and has great awareness on the field. And he made a hell of a good impression in the five months he’s been with the Dodgers.</p>
<p id="kDWEiH">“When you’re making an investment of this magnitude, you’re not just betting on the player’s ability, you’re also betting on the person,” Friedman said. “We couldn’t be more comfortable to make that bet on Mookie Betts.”</p>
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<p id="lHX9Km">Betts’ first full season was in 2015 with Boston. Since then, the only other player with more Wins Above Replacement is Mike Trout. Besides Trout and Betts, the only other player since 2015 to average 6+ WAR per year is <span>Alex Bregman</span> (in his three full seasons, 2017-19). <span>Nolan Arenado</span> also averaged 6.3 WAR the last five years on Baseball-Reference, but averaged 5.4 WAR on FanGraphs.</p>
<p id="UC03iR">In 2018, Betts had his finest season to date, hitting .346/.438/.640 with 32 home runs, 30 stolen bases, and 47 doubles. He topped 10 WAR in both versions, won American League MVP, and won a <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/world-series">World Series</a> over the Dodgers, helping to clinch the series with a home run in Game 5.</p>
<p id="MarkxJ">That was his last game at Dodger Stadium that counted. His next one is Thursday night, when the Dodgers open their 2020 season at home against the <a href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">Giants</a>. And likely several hundred more after that.</p>
<p id="k9NhKQ">“From the time that I’ve been here, the people here made me feel so comfortable. You see the talent up and down the minor leagues, everybody in the front office from the owner on down, everybody is amazing,” Betts said. “I think this this organization is a well-oiled machine.”</p>
<p id="W4LcN1">That well-oiled machine has won seven consecutive division titles, one for each full season of the Dodgers ownership group. They made two World Series, but haven’t yet won that ultimate prize. They’ve remained competitive, with 91 wins the low point of the last seven years, all while rebuilding the player development system at the same time.</p>
<p id="MVT5ny">The Dodgers’ farm system was ranked third in baseball this year by <a href="https://www.baseballamerica.com/rankings/2020-mlb-organization-talent-rankings/">both Baseball America</a> <a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/2020-farm-system-rankings">and MLB.com</a>, as the major league team is <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2020/7/21/21332846/dodgers-projections-odds-2020-world-series-favorites">the leading World Series favorite by several projection systems</a>.</p>
<p id="I4m4D5">“We’ve talked about this a lot, trying to create a destination spot where players who are here don’t want to leave, and players from the outside are longingly looking at our organization and wanting to play here,” Friedman said. “So I was hopeful that we make a good impression on Mookie with just the communication and the people we have, and the culture that’s been created.”</p>
<p id="n8dHb9">That impression was clearly made, though there were obstacles. The rapport built in spring training, including <a href="https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/story/2020-03-02/mookie-betts-clubhouse-leader-challenges-new-dodgers-teammates">when Betts led a team meeting on one of his first days in camp</a>, was interrupted when the <a href="https://www.vox.com/2020/1/31/21113178/what-is-coronavirus-symptoms-travel-china-map">coronavirus</a> pandemic shut the season down.</p>
<p id="gwRDdX">Friedman talked with Betts and his agent about a possible extension during spring training, but those talks were put on hold along with everything else in the baseball world. Negotiations started anew last week, with the goal of a contract before Opening Day, to avoid the distraction of having such talks during the season.</p>
<p id="IO3rd9">Given the revenue loss across baseball during the pandemic, and a season starting and possibly finishing with no fans in the stands, this winter’s free agent market seems impossible to predict. Though Betts was going to be the top prize this winter, the forecast for his next deal probably looked much different in July than it did in March before the sport shut down.</p>
<p id="oxU5JS">“The market wasn’t what I was worried about. Just fair value. That’s been my number one thing for my whole career. Just the value, and that’s it,” Betts said. “Once we got to that point, and being somewhere I love being, the match is perfect.”</p>
<p id="GN4roA">The Dodgers recognized that value, and they get to have one of the very best players in baseball play for them for a very long time.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2020/7/22/21334399/mookie-betts-contract-dodgers-perfect-fitEric Stephen2020-07-22T15:58:42-07:002020-07-22T15:58:42-07:00Betts among the favorites to win NL MVP
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<img alt="2020 Los Angeles Dodgers Photo Day" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/uRfsAa8fVBywumWAX9H7trbnnow=/0x0:4160x2773/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67094534/1204736800.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Adam Glanzman/MLB Photos via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Betts has 6/1 odds to win the award</p> <p id="xTNveX"><span>Mookie Betts</span> has a new contract that runs through the 2032 season, before he has even played his first game with the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a>.</p>
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<p id="OFu5Vg">That debut will come Thursday night, with Opening Day against the <a href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">Giants</a> at Dodger Stadium (7 p.m. PT, ESPN). The first of 60 games on the schedule for the 2020 season, in which Betts is one of the favorites to win National League MVP.</p>
<p id="seU26q">The <a href="https://www.betonline.ag/">oddsmakers at BetOnline</a> have Betts at 6/1 odds to win NL MVP this season. Per their odds, the only players more favored to win the award are <span>Ronald Acuña Jr.</span> of the <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Braves</a> (4/1 odds) and <span>Christian Yelich</span> of the <a href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Brewers</a> (9/2 odds).</p>
<p id="Pz6r1U"><span>Cody Bellinger</span>, the 2019 NL MVP, has 9/1 odds to repeat in 2020, making for three former MVPs among the top six favorites to win the award, along with Betts (2018 AL MVP) and Yelich (2018 NL MVP).</p>
<p id="YyzFBu">Frank Robinson is the only player to win MVP awards in both the National and American Leagues.</p>
<p id="VMt9MP">Folks at BetOnline also have set various player statistical over/unders. For Betts, his numbers include a .301 average, 11 home runs, and 35½ RBI.</p>
<p id="GBugX3">The over/unders from BetOnline for Bellinger are .295, 16½ homers, and 38½ RBI.</p>
<aside id="RBEITA"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Mookie Betts contract is 12 years, $365 million","url":"https://www.truebluela.com/2020/7/22/21334289/mookie-betts-contract-dodgers-365-million"}]}'></div></aside><p id="ldi068">Other Dodgers with odds to win awards at BetOnline include Corey Seager at 40/1 to win NL MVP, Walker Buehler at 6/1 to win the NL Cy Young (only Jack Flaherty of the Cardinals at 4/1 odds, is more highly favored), and Clayton Kershaw is at 18/1 to win his fourth NL Cy Young Award.</p>
<p id="iovys6">Gavin Lux, who was optioned this week, is still the favorite to win NL Rookie of the Year at 7/2 odds, with Dustin May at 12/1.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2020/7/22/21334501/mookie-betts-national-league-mvp-odds-dodgersEric Stephen2020-07-22T14:09:32-07:002020-07-22T14:09:32-07:00Mookie Betts contract is 12 years, $365 million
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<img alt="MLB: Los Angeles Dodgers-Press Conference" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_gRbkMUD5bGdd1-7-EJZkd3mDB4=/0x0:5454x3636/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67093816/usa_today_14031581.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The deal, now official, runs through 2032</p> <p id="qumxiM">The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2020/7/22/21334239/mookie-betts-dodgers-contract-extension-reports">rumored “massive” deal</a> between the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> and superstar outfielder <span>Mookie Betts</span> is now reportedly agreed to, and the adjective was apt. Betts will stay in Los Angeles with a 12-year contract extension, announced by the team on Wednesday.</p>
<p id="SNgbfP">The contract is worth $365 million, <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/status/1286042491171504130">per Jeff Passan at ESPN</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/Joelsherman1/status/1286044259938971648">Joel Sherman at the New York Post</a>.</p>
<p id="CUDQcz">Betts is making $10 million this season, the pro-rated share of his $27 million salary spread over the shortened 60-game season. He’s now signed through the 2032 season.</p>
<aside id="HZ1r5D"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Mookie Betts focusing on what he can control","url":"https://www.truebluela.com/2020/7/7/21315546/mookie-betts-free-agency-health-safety-mlb"}]}'></div></aside><p id="LDM6Pu">It’s the largest contract in franchise history, both in length (surpassing the eight-year deals for <span>Matt Kemp</span> in 2012 and <span>Kenta Maeda</span> in 2016) and in total value (surpassing the $215 million contract <span>Clayton Kershaw</span> signed in 2014).</p>
<p id="s6a2em">Betts’ contract is second in baseball history in total value to <span>Mike Trout</span>, whose 12-year, $426.5 million extension with the <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Angels</a> in March 2019 replaced the final two years and $66.5 million he had remaining on his previous deal. Trout’s deal added $360 million in guaranteed money, $5 million less than Betts.</p>
<p id="FsEYLd">In average annual value, Betts’ deal is the 14th in MLB history of at least $30 million per year, <a href="https://legacy.baseballprospectus.com/compensation/cots/league-info/highest-paid-players/">per Cot’s Contracts</a>, a list that includes his current Dodgers teammates <span>Clayton Kershaw</span> and <span>David Price</span>.</p>
<p id="7B0hqH">The Dodgers were in a position to make such a commitment because they have very few long-term deals on the books. Betts is only the fourth guaranteed contract on the roster for 2022, along with Price ($32 million, $16 million of which is paid by Boston), <span>Max Muncy</span> ($11.5 million), and <span>A.J. Pollock</span> ($10 million). After that, the only other guaranteed money is Pollock, who has a $10 million player option for 2023, with a $5 million buyout.</p>
<p id="2blGJa">There will also be several arbitration-eligible players by then, most notably <span>Cody Bellinger</span> and <span>Walker Buehler</span>, but as far as long-term money committed, the Dodgers had and have plenty of room to add.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2020/7/22/21334289/mookie-betts-contract-dodgers-365-millionEric Stephen2020-07-22T09:04:33-07:002020-07-22T09:04:33-07:00Betts, Dodgers ‘closing in’ on massive contract extension
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<img alt="Arizona Diamondback v Los Angeles Dodgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Rb-dHDRZtS0wgaQZWT3Q4xqFETY=/0x0:3485x2323/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67092008/1257122881.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Harry How/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Deal is in the neighborhood of 10 years, $350+ million</p> <p id="EERkEl">After spending a few months during the pandemic shutdown wondering if the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> would in fact get to have <span>Mookie Betts</span>, having traded for him in February, it seems like the superstar’s stay in Los Angeles could last well beyond 2020.</p>
<p id="rnhqST">Former <a href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Red Sox</a> player and current WEEI radio host <span>Lou Merloni</span> <a href="https://weei.radio.com/blogs/weei/mlb-rumors-mookie-betts-dodgers-close-to-long-term-deal">reported Wednesday morning that the Dodgers and Betts were nearing a contract extension</a> for at least 10 years and between $350-400 million.</p>
<aside id="uJOwXI"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Mookie Betts focusing on what he can control","url":"https://www.truebluela.com/2020/7/7/21315546/mookie-betts-free-agency-health-safety-mlb"}]}'></div></aside><p id="QMeGG9">The report was since confirmed by other national reporters, and <a href="https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/story/2020-07-22/dodgers-fulfill-pledge-to-fans-by-signing-mookie-betts-long-term">LA Times</a> Dodgers beat writer Jorge Castillo.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">I can confirm that the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dodgers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Dodgers</a> and Mookie Betts are closing in on a contract extension, per source, as first reported by <a href="https://twitter.com/LouMerloni?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LouMerloni</a>.</p>— Jorge Castillo (@jorgecastillo) <a href="https://twitter.com/jorgecastillo/status/1285967234733506560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 22, 2020</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">A source described extension talks between Mookie Betts and the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dodgers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Dodgers</a> as "quite real." <a href="https://twitter.com/LouMerloni?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LouMerloni</a> reported that the sides were close on a deal of at least 10 years.</p>— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) <a href="https://twitter.com/Joelsherman1/status/1285963070490259456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 22, 2020</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The parameters that <a href="https://twitter.com/LouMerloni?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LouMerloni</a> first alluded to -- a deal of 10 years -- would be the sort to prompt Betts to forgo free agency. The devil will be in the details -- the money, the structure of payments, how to proceed if fans cannot return in 2021 and other important issues.</p>— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/status/1285964030637727747?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 22, 2020</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Mookie Betts and the Dodgers are closing in on an extension for at least 10 years and $350 million, per sources. <a href="https://twitter.com/LouMerloni?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LouMerloni</a> was on it first.</p>— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) <a href="https://twitter.com/Feinsand/status/1285964693614530560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 22, 2020</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Looming Betts extension with Dodgers, first reported by <a href="https://twitter.com/LouMerloni?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LouMerloni</a>, will shatter belief that elite free agents would not get paid in potentially depressed market this winter. Seemingly would increase pressure on Phillies with Realmuto.</p>— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/1285966461580828673?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 22, 2020</a>
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<p id="lAb8vk"><span>Betts</span> in 2020 is signed for $27 million, which in the pandemic-shortened season is pro-rated to $10 million. He would be a free agent after this year.</p>
<p id="gAAp3Q">Early in summer camp, Betts <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2020/7/7/21315546/mookie-betts-free-agency-health-safety-mlb">didn’t seem too concerned about his pending free agency</a>.</p>
<p id="hcrb29">“Free agency is on the back burner. That will come. It’s nothing I’m really thinking about right now. The main concern is safety and health,” Betts said. “We haven’t gotten tests back. We don’t know who’s sick, and who’s not sick. There’s a lot going on that needs to be addressed, and free agency is not one of those things.”</p>
<p id="QweCBu">It was Merloni who, in 2019, reported that Betts turned down a contract extension offer from the Red Sox worth $300 million over 10 years, which Betts addressed two weeks ago.</p>
<p id="ozYe4i">“I made the decision I made, and I’m not going to go back and question myself. I don’t really know what the market will be and what the market is,” Betts said. “We’ll just kind of cross that bridge when we get there.”</p>
<p id="sR3k5P">Sounds like the Dodgers are trying to make free agency a bridge too far for Betts.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2020/7/22/21334239/mookie-betts-dodgers-contract-extension-reportsEric Stephen